|
With the Murphy-led film, the festival known for being more
overtly political is bringing in a massive dose of star power
ahead of the Oscars, at which "Oppenheimer" looks likely to come
away handsomely based on its triumphs at the Golden Globes.
"With 'Small Things Like These,' Tim Mielants tells the story of
a man of few words, with wide open eyes, as clear as the skies
of Ireland," said festival co-director Carlo Chatrian.
"Small Things Like These" is set in 1985 and follows a coal
merchant, played by Murphy, as he learns about the Magdalene
laundries for "fallen young women" in his town.
Based on a 2021 book of the same name by Claire Keegan, the film
will reunite Murphy with director Mielants after working
together on the hit historical crime drama "Peaky Blinders" and
also features "Game of Thrones'" Michelle Fairley, Emily Watson
of "God's Creatures" and Eileen Walsh.
The laundries, which have also been depicted in the
award-winning film "The Magdalene Sisters", starring Walsh, put
10,000 women and girls as young as nine through uncompromising
hardship from the foundation of the Irish state in 1922 until
1996.
Run by Catholic nuns, the laundries have been accused of
treating inmates like slaves, imposing a regime of fear and
prayer on girls sometimes put in their care for becoming
pregnant outside marriage. One in 10 inmates died.
"Small Things Like These," of which Murphy is also a producer,
along with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, will also be in
competition for the Berlinale top prize, said the festival.
The 74th Berlin Film Festival runs from Feb. 15-25.
(Reporting by Miranda Murray; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
